Coring device



Maya. 9336 R A. MURDOCK CORING DEVICE Filed Sept. 16 1930 Patented May 2, 1933 UNITED STATES t,90'l,l55

PATENT oer-Ice RUSSELL A. MURDOCK, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO ELLIOTT CORE DRILLING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA conme DEVICE Application filed September 15, 1930. Serial No.482,202.

. This invention relates to" coring devices such as are employed in the taking of cores in oil wells and the like.

In .drilling wells, and particularly oil wells, it is customary touse a circulating fluid to flush the cuttings from the cutting region. In order to efl'ect a more eflicient flushing action, the fluid generally carriesa certain amount of mud or other foreign matter. This mud together with detritus from Y the hole will accumulate in the bottom of the hole during the time that the fluid is not circulating, and will form a mass that will interfere with the taking of a core.

The general construction of the coring device contemplated in this invention consists of an outer barrel and an inner barrel adapted to receive a core, the whole device being rotated on the end of a drill stem. In lowering the coring device into the well, the aforementioned accumulation of material in the bottom of the well will enter into the core barrel, and unless some means of escape is provided at the upper end of the barrel, this accumulation will interfere with a core later entering the barrel. The core barrel, accordingly, is usually provided with an opening at the top which passes outwardly into the outer barrel, and the opening maypptionally be provided with a unidirectional valve to prevent the downward flow of the circulating fluid through the core barrel. By thus opening the core barrel to the passage of the circulating fluid, the core within the barrel is subjected to pressure resulting from the hydrostatic head of the circulating fluid, which in deep wells is considerable. It accordingly becomes an object of this invention to provide .a coring device wherein a part of the pressure on the upper end of the core barrel is relieved by an arrangement of fluid passages wherein suction is created on the top of the core barrel.

To those familiar with the art of taking cores, it is known that the inner core receiving barrels are attached at the lower end only, generally to the drill head, and extend upwardly within {the outer barrel without any means of support'at the upper end. Some barrels are made as long as 26 feet and,

consequently, present a problem of support at the upper end to prevent excessive vibration loosening or rupturing the core barrel as well as disturbin the core.- It, therefore, becomes another 0b ect of this invention to provide .a means of supporting the 11 per end of the core barrel within the outer arrel.

As a means toward providing high eficiency, both in assembling and operating my device, I contemplate equlpping the core bar rel with a hood on the top thereof, which hood may enclose a cage having a ball valve therein, and which hood also, in conjunction with the head of the core barrel, forms annular passages leading from the interior of the core barrel to the annular space provided between the inner and outer barrel; said passages being so arranged as to operate in conjunction with other passages in the hood to create an aspirating action upon the fluid within the core barrel. The hood is also employed to mount a rubber packing ring, which is hydraulically pressed into position by the circulating fluid, to force the fluid through lating system that reduces the hydrostatic head in the core barrel.

In order to insure positive action of the rubber ring I equip the upper end ofthe hood with retaining members which preventthe ring from slipping upwardly ofi the hood, and these members also act as guides in as sembling the outer barrel over the inner harrel. It is, therefore,- .another object to provide means on the h'ond for retaining the packing ring in position while assembling,

and while lowering the coring device in a well.

Another object is to provide a hood of the port for the upper end of the core receiving y barrel and at the same time produce a circuvto Fig. 1, I have shown my device embodying an outer barrel 11 and an inner core barrel 12. The outer barrel and the inner .core barrel may be interconnected at their lower ends in any suitable manner, this invention dealing more specifically with the arrangement of the upper end of the core barrel than with any manner of mounting the inner and outer barrel upon a cutting head. The core barrel 12 is provided with a head 13 which is screwthreadedly mounted thereon as shown at 14. The head 13 is provided with a screw-threaded opening 15 in the upper end thereof, which opening is downwardly provided with a shoulder 16. Seated upon the shoulder 16 is a valve seat 17. Means is provided for holding the valve seat 17 fixed in the opening and as shown, consists of a cage 18 screw-threadedly mounted in the upper portion of the opening 15. The cage 18 contains a ball member 19 which is adapted to cooperate with the seat member 17 and form a unidirectional valve. It may be stated at this point that the ball and the valve seat are optlonal, and on certain occasions may be dispensed with and the top of the core barrel be left free to the circulating fluid. The upper end of the cage 18 is screw-threaded, as shown at 20, and is adapted to receive a hood'21 screw-threadedmounted thereon. The hood 21 is belll shaped, and extends downwardly and over the head 13 of the core barrel. The lower end of the bell-shaped portion is annularly spaced from the upper sloping shoulder 22 formed on the head 13 by means of lugs 23 to form an annular passage 24 about the upper end of the core barrel. The annular passage 24 thus formed will be observed to have a downcast direction.

-- In conjunction with the passage 24, passages 25 are formedin the lower extremity of the hood 21, which, communicate with the passage 24, and are so arranged as to enter the passage 24 and create an aspirating effect upon the upper end of the passage '24. These passages .(24 and 25) will be hereinafter referred to as comprising auxiliary passages in the inner barrel. This, in turn, sets up a suction upon the upper end of the core barrel 12. In this connection it is to he understood that the circulating fluid is forced downwardly through passages 25, and due to the velocity of the fluid the above mentioned Means is provided for retaining the pack-- ing ring upon the hood during the process of assembling the inner barrel within the outer barrel, and also for holding the ring in a position whereby the circulating fluid will, by hydrostatic pressurefforce the ring into an engaging position between'the hood 21 and the outer barrel 11, and at the same time open the passages 25 to. the circulating fluid,

Such a means is shownsuch means consisting of fingers 27 mounted upon the upper end of the head 21 in any suitable manner. With this arrangement, it is possible for the packing ring 26, during the process of lowering the coring device into the hole, to slide upwardly on the hood 21 into the position shown at 26' in dotted lines.-

However, as soon as the circulating fluid is sent down the drill string, the pressure upon the upper surface of the ring-will cause the ring to descend and compress into the position shown at 26. lhis would be the operating position.

In order that the ring will not pass beyond a proper lower position, an annular shoulder 28 is provided on the lower extremity of the hood which holds the ring in the correct position relative to directing the cir'culat-- ing-flu'id through the passages 25.

It will be understood that the ring may be of any suitable packing material, but is preferably formed of rubber which, due to its elastic characterics, may be compressed into the space between the outer barrel 11 and the lower extremity of the hood 21. This structure will be appreciated as providing an eflicient means of steadying the upper end of the core barrel against the inner wall of the outer barrel, and will also be recognized as providing a means-0f relieving the hydrostatic pressure upon the upper end of the core barrel. The valueof such an arrangement resides largely in its simplicity and small number of parts, together with a high operating efliciency in obtaining a maximum amount of core. a

I am aware that other coring devices havebeen devised for relieving pressure on the' top of the core, but insofar as I know, there is. no arrangement whereby the circulating fluid is caused to flow in the manner set forth to create a high degree of suction upon the upper end of, the core barrel. In this -respect it is to be noted that the circulating .(lraw fluid from and relieve fluid under the present arrangement is caused to flow directly into a restricted passage leading from the top of the core barrel, which arrangement is in the nature of a jet of water a'ngularly directed into a stream to cause a high velocity in said stream. The velocity thus produced in the passage 24 operates to pressure in the upper end of the core barrel.

Although I have shown and described a specific arrangement of my invention, never-. theless, I am aware that certain modifications, such as the elimination of the unidirectional valve in the upper end of the core barrel, and other refinements, may be resorted to under the doctrine of substitution of equivalents. I, therefore, reserve the right to all such alterations and modifications as come within the scope of the specification and the purview of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. In combination: a core drill having an outer and an inner barrel spaced apart to form a circulating fluid passage therebetween; a head on the upper end of said inner barrel; a hood supported .on said head and having its lower edge spaced apart from said head to form an annular passage therebetween, said hood having passages in the lower portion thereof angularly communicating with said annular passage to produce an aspirating effect in said annular passage when 113)?1 is forced through the passages in said- 2. In combination: a core drill having an outer and an inner barrel spaced apart to form a circulating fluid passage therebetween; a head on the upper end of said inner barrel; a cage mounted on said head; a hood supported on said cage andhaving its lower edge spaced apart from said head to form an annular passage therebetween, said hood having passagesin the lower portion thereof angularly communicating with said annular passage to produce an aspirating eflect in said annular passage when fluid is forced through the passages in said hood.

3. In combination: a core drill having an outer and an inner-barrel spaced apart to form a circulating fluid passage therebctween; :1 head on the upper end of said inner barrel; a valve in said head; a cage mounted on said head; a hood supported on said cage and having its lower edge spaced apart on said head to form an annular passage therebetween, said hood having passages in the lower portion thereof angularly communicating with said annular passage to produce an aspirating eflect in said annular passage when fluid is forced through the passages in said hood.

4. In combination: a core drill having an outer and an inner barrel space apart to form a circulating fluid passage therebetween; a head on the upper end of said inner barrel;

a hood sup orted on said head and having its lower e ge spaced apart from said head to form an annular passage therebetween, said hood having passages in the lower portion thereof angularly communicating with said annular passage to produce an aspirating effect in said annular passage when fluid is forced through the passages in said hood; and means for forcing a circulating fluid through the passages in said hood.

5. In combination: a core drill having an outer and an inner barrel spaced a art to form a circulating fluid passage t erebe tween; a head on the upper end of said inner barrel; a hood supported on said head and having its lower edge spaced apart from said head to form an annular passage therebetween, said hood having passages 1n I the lower portion thereof angularly communicating with said annular passage to produce anaspirating eflect in said annular pasv sage when fluid is forced through the passages in said hood; and means for forcing a circulating fluid through the passages in said hood, said'means including a packing ring slidably mounted upon said hood and adapted to be forced into an operative position by said circulating fluid.

6. In combination: a core drill having an outer and an inner barrel spaced a art to form a circulating fluid passage. t-erebetween; a head on the upper end of said inner barrel; a hood supported on said head and having its lower edge spaced apart from said head to form an annular passage therebetween, said hood having passages in the lower portion thereof angularly communicating with said annular passage; and a packing ring slidably mounted on the exterior of said hood arranged tobe hydraulically pressed by the circulating fluid into a position to force said circulating fluid through the passages 1n. said hood.

i 7 In combination: a core drill having an outer and an inner barrel spaced apart to form a circulating fluid passage therebetween; a head on the upper end of said inner barrel; a hood supported on said head and having its lower edge spaced apart from said head to form an annular passage therebetween, said hood having passages in the lower portion thereof angularly communicating with said. annular passage; a packing ring slidably mounted on the exterior of said, hood arranged to be hydraulically pressed by the circulating fluid into a position to force said circulating fluid. through the passages in said hood; and means for preventing said packing ring from passing upwardly off said hood.

I 8. In combination: a core drill having an outer and an inner barrel spaced apart to no t and having its lower edge spaced apart from said head to form an annular passage therebetween, said hood having assages in the lower portion thereof angu arly communicating with said annular passage; a packing ring slidably mountedon the exterior of said hood arranged to be hydraulically pressed by the circulating fluid into a position to force said circulating fluid through the pas sages in said hood; and means for preventing said packing ring from passing upwardly off said hood, said means embodying extending fingers mounted on the upper por-- tion-of said hood.

9. In a coring device having an outer barrel and a core barrel; means for supporting the upper end of said core barrel within said outer barrel, said means including a. packing ring between the upper end of said core barrel and the inner wall of said outer barrel in longitudinal sliding engagement with both said core barrel and said outer barrel, and means for limiting the movement of said ring on said core barrel.

v 10. In a'coring device having an outer ban rel and a core barrel: means for supporting the upper end of said core barrel within said outer barrel, said means including a packing ring slidably mounted on the core barrel and adapted to be forcedby a circulating fluid into an engaging position between the upper end ofsaid core barrel and the inner wall of said outer barrel.

11. In a coring device having an outer barrel and a core barrel: means for supporting the upper end of said core barrel within the outer barrel, said means including a packing ring slidably mounted on the core barrel and adapted to be forced by a circulating fluid into an engaging position between the .upper end of said core barrel and the inner wall of said outer barrel; and means for retaining said ring in said engaging, position.

12. In a core drill having an outer and an inner barrel spaced apart to form a circulating fluid passage therebetween a head on the upper end of said inner barrel; a hood supported on said head and having its lower edge spaced apart from said head to form an annular passage therebetween, said hood having passages in the lower portion thereof angularly communicating with said annular passage; and a packing ring slidably mount-I ed on the exterior of said hood and arranged to be hydraulically pressed by the circulatingifluid into a positionto force said circulating fluid through the passages in said hood,said portion serving also to force said ring into an engaging position between said core barrel and said outer barrel.

13. In a core drill having an outer and an inner barrel spaced apart to form a circubarrel having an opening in its upper end; means for directing circulating fluid downincluding a packing ring movably mounted.

on said inner barrel for directing circulating fluid downwardly through said auxiliary passages into the space between said inner and outer barrels.

15. A coring device embodying: an outer barrel; an inner barrel secured to said outer barrel at its lower end and thereabove spaced apart from said outer barrel to form an annular fluid circulating passage therebetween; and packing means interposed between the upper end of said inner barrel and said outer barrel and providing a radial support between the inner barrel and the outer barrel, said packing means being in sliding engagement with said outer barrel and provided with passages for delivering a circulating fluid into said annular fluid circulating passage.

16. A coring device embodying: an outer barrel; an inner barrel secured to said outer barrel at its lower end and thereabove spaced apart from said outer barrel to form an annular fluid circulating passage therebetween; a head member mounted on the upper end of said inner barrel; apacking ring mounted on said head member and extending radially therefrom into engagement with said outer barrel, said head member having passages therethrough communicating with said annular passage.

17. A coring device embodying: an outer barrel; an inner barrel secured to said outer barrel at its lower end and thereabove spaced apart from said outer barrel; and mean for supporting the upper end of said inner barrel against radial movement in said outer barrel, said last mentioned means comprising a packi'ng ring, and means on said inner barrel for holding said packing ring against said outer barrel, said supporting means having fluid circulating passages therethrough.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto 'set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 18thday of August, 1930.

RUSSELL A. MURDOCK.

, lating fluid passage therebetween, said inner v 

